Reduction of Prophylactic Antibiotics for Elective Pediatric Cholecystectomy: A QI Initiative to Promote Antimicrobial Stewardship

In brief

This quality improvement initiative successfully reduced prophylactic antibiotic use in elective pediatric cholecystectomy from 100% to ≤50% over one year, promoting antimicrobial stewardship without compromising patient safety. The project challenges routine antibiotic prophylaxis in low-risk pediatric gallbladder surgery, addressing antimicrobial resistance concerns.

• Antibiotic prophylaxis for elective pediatric cholecystectomy may be unnecessary, mirroring findings in adult populations.
• Overuse of prophylactic antibiotics contributes to antimicrobial resistance without clear benefit in low-risk procedures.
• A QI initiative successfully reduced prophylactic antibiotic use from 100% to ≤50% for elective cholecystectomy.
• Antimicrobial stewardship in pediatric surgery can be achieved through protocol changes without increasing infection rates.

Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.